Blowing up big

The Sept. 24 fireworks on the river, with the Westin at lower left (Photo: Brandon Blatcher)

In a time of rapidly evolving digital media, some things still remain the same. Publications still identify separate editions with a volume and issue number, and we of course are no different.

This month we make our transition into Volume 10 of Connect Savannah, marking our tenth year of operation.

An extensive look at all the changes in Savannah over that ten years would necessitate a volume of its own. But suffice it to say that a couple of events this past weekend really brought the expansion of this area into relief.

Friday's massive free fireworks show on the river - courtesy of the American Pyrotechnics Association - was one of those one-off events that really highlight the potential of this city. The buildings, the weather, and the matchless greenspace of Savannah worked as the perfect backdrop for the one-of-a-kind event, which lived up to its promise as by far the most impressive fireworks show ever seen in this city (and probably most other cities as well).

Another hugely notable event this past weekend was the final evening of the Savannah Jazz Festival. Headlined by Spyro Gyra, the evening concert brought what was the largest crowd I've ever seen to Forsyth Park, for any event of any kind. The diverse and appreciative crowd was thick from the tennis courts to the bandshell.

Weather permitting, I fully expect this weekend's huge free outdoor event, the Picnic in the Park, to come close to the Jazz Festival's attendance. Named "Pinknic in the Park" this year in honor of breast cancer awareness month, the event is covered in great detail in Bill DeYoung's story this issue.

We begin our tenth year, but we also say goodbye this week to a longtime columnist, Robin Wright Gunn, whose "Hear and Now" column has graced this paper for three of our ten volumes. She offers her final farewell this issue - though we will always consider her a close friend of the paper.